Packaging Device for Liquid Crystal Glass

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a packaging device for liquid crystal glass with a bottom wall and reinforcing arrangement. Wherein the bottom wall has a cushioning capability than the reinforcing arrangement; and wherein the bottom wall is used to support the liquid crystal glass, and the reinforcing arrangement being disposed onto or in the bottom wall so as to prevent warpage of the bottom wall. By the arrangement, since the bottom wall is free from warpage, the liquid crystal glass carried thereon will also be prevented from being broken resulted from the warpage of the bottom wall. Furthermore, with the inclusion of the reinforcing arrangement into the bottom the thickness of the bottom wall can be reduced and the overall volume of the packaging the produce and the cost associated thereof are also lowered.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a technical field of liquid crystaldisplay, and more particularly, to a packaging device for liquid crystalglass.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

The glass substrate used in the liquid crystal display panel is fragileand vulnerable to be broken if excessive external impact or vibrationare encountered during the handling and transportation. Accordingly, inorder to properly and thoroughly protect the glass substrate during thetransportation or transfer from one station to another, the glasssubstrate has to be disposed within a specially designed andmanufactured packaging device.

In general, the material used to make the packaging device is featuredwith excellent cushioning capability, while still with a certainstiffness so as to support the glass substrate. The EPP (ExpandedPolypropylene), EPE (polypropylene foam), and EPS (Expanded PolystyreneFoam) are polymers with excellent shock-absorbing capability, but theyare quite expensive as well.

As the dimensions of the glass substrate become larger and larger, thesize of the packaging device has to grow larger so as to meet therequirements. Once the glass substrate becomes larger, its overallweight become heavier as well, and its own weight will create a warpagenear to its center. However, the warpage of the glass substrate willmake it more vulnerable to be broken. Accordingly, in order to counterthe warpage resulted from the weight of the glass substrate, thepackaging device has to increase it thickness. Nevertheless, theincreasing of the thickness of the packaging device will not onlyincrease the cost, but also will increase the bulky dimensions of thepackaging device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide apackaging device which can effectively control the thickness of thepackaging device for liquid crystal glass.

In order to resolve the technical problems, the present inventionprovides a solution by introducing a packaging device which isconfigured with a bottom wall, a plurality of sidewalk and a reinforcingarrangement. The plurality of sidewalks are interconnected with oneanother and extending from peripheral edges of the bottom walls so as toprevent any transversal movement of the liquid crystal glass; whereinthe bottom wall is made from any one of the polyethylene foam,polypropylene foam, and high density polyethylene. Wherein the bottomwall has a superior cushioning capability than the reinforcingarrangement; and wherein the bottom wall is used to support the liquidcrystal glass, and the reinforcing arrangement being disposed onto or inthe bottom wall so as to prevent warpage of the bottom wall.

Wherein the reinforcing arrangement is integrally formed with the bottomwall.

Wherein the reinforcing arrangement is attached to the bottom wall afterthe bottom wall is formed through injection.

Wherein the reinforcing arrangement includes at least a pair ofreinforcing ribs in parallel with each other.

Wherein the reinforcing arrangement includes a pair of reinforcing ribsintersecting with each other.

Wherein the reinforcing arrangement is completely embedded within thebottom wall or partially exposed from the bottom wall.

Wherein the reinforcing arrangement is made from metallic material orceramic material.

Wherein the sidewalls and the bottom wall are made from same materialintegrally formed together.

In order to resolve the technical problems, the present inventionprovides a solution by introducing a packaging device which includes abottom wall and a reinforcing arrangement; wherein the bottom wall has asuperior cushioning capability than the reinforcing arrangement; andwherein the bottom wall is used to support the liquid crystal glass, andthe reinforcing arrangement being disposed onto or in the bottom wall soas to prevent warpage of the bottom wall.

Wherein the reinforcing arrangement is integrally formed with the bottomwall.

Wherein the reinforcing arrangement is attached to the bottom wall afterthe bottom wall is formed through injection.

Wherein the reinforcing arrangement includes at least a pair ofreinforcing ribs in parallel with each other.

Wherein the reinforcing arrangement includes a pair of reinforcing ribsintersecting with each other.

Wherein the reinforcing arrangement is attached to the bottom wall afterthe bottom wall is formed through injection.

Wherein the reinforcing arrangement is made from metallic material orceramic material.

Wherein the packaging devices includes a plurality of sidewallsinterconnected with one another and extending from peripheral edges ofthe bottom walls so as to prevent any transversal movement of the liquidcrystal glass.

Wherein the sidewalk and the bottom wall are made from same materialintegrally formed together.

Wherein the bottom wall is made from any one of the polyethylene foam,polypropylene foam, and high-density polyethylene.

The present invention can be concluded with the following advantages. Ascompared to the prior art, by incorporating the reinforcing arrangementonto or in the bottom wall, the bottom wall is given with superiorcushioning capability and the reinforcing arrangement can be used toprevent the warpage of the bottom wall. By the arrangement, since thebottom wall is free from warpage, the liquid crystal glass carriedthereon will also be prevented from being broken resulted from thewarpage of the bottom wall. Furthermore, with the inclusion of thereinforcing arrangement into the bottom wall, the thickness of thebottom wall can be reduced and the overall volume of the packaging ofthe produce and the cost associated thereof are also lowered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustrational and perspective view of a packaging devicefor a liquid crystal glass in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustrational view of a reinforcing arrangement shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the packaging device shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is an illustrational view of the packaging device made inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an illustrational view of the packaging device made inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed description will be given in view of preferred embodimentsalong with the accompanied drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a packaging device 1 made in accordance with thepresent invention includes a supporting base 10 and a reinforcingarrangement 20.

The supporting base 10 includes a bottom wall 11 and a plurality ofsidewalls 12 interconnected with one another, and extending fromperipheral edges of the bottom wall 11. The sidewalls 12 are used toprevent transversal movement of a glass substrate once it is carried onthe supporting base 10.

According to its normal field application, as the glass substrate has arectangular configuration, the bottom wall 11 of the supporting base 10is also configured with a rectangular shape. The supporting base 10 hasa pair of sidewalls 12.

The bottom 11 includes an inner surface (upper surface facing upward,and not labeled), and a bottom surface (not labeled). Substantialconfiguration of the bottom wall 11 should not be limited. For example,the bottom wall 11 can be defined with a plurality of channels extendingfrom the inner surface to the bottom surface, or alternatively, theinner surface or the bottom surface can be provided with a plurality ofembossments or slots.

Preferably, the supporting base 10, the bottom wall 11 and the sidewalls12 are all made from the same material and preferably integrally formed.In order to ensure the glass substrate can be well cushioned on thesupporting base 10, it preferably to have the supporting base 10 beenmade from material having excellent cushioning capability. For example,the supporting base 10 is made from any one of the polyethylene foam,polypropylene foam, and high-density polyethylene.

The reinforcing arrangement 20 is at least incorporated onto the bottomwall 11 of the supporting base 10 so as to prevent the bottom wall 11from warping. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, according to a firstembodiment of the packaging device 1, the reinforcing arrangement 20includes a pair of reinforcing ribs 21 in parallel to each other. Thereinforcing ribs 21 are separate from each other along longitudinaldirection of the bottom wall 11. In this preferred embodiment, thereinforcing arrangement 20 is integrally formed with the supporting base10 such that the reinforcing arrangement 20 is completely embeddedwithin the bottom wall 11.

In order to prevent the bottom wall 11 of the supporting base 10 fromwarping, preferably, the reinforcing arrangement 20 can be selected frommaterial with its rigidity harder than the supporting base 10, such asthe ceramic material, the metal, and hardened glass. The bottom wall 11and the reinforcing arrangement 20 can be made from two differentmaterial such that the cushioning capability of the bottom wall 11 issuperior than the reinforcing arrangement 20, while the intensity of thereinforcing arrangement 20 is stronger than the bottom wall 11. By thisarrangement, not only will the bottom wall 11 be ensured from warping,but also will the glass substrate be properly supported and cushioned.

In other embodiments, the number of the reinforcing ribs 21 will not belimited by the current embodiment, for example, it can be onereinforcing rib, or three reinforcing ribs other than two reinforcingribs. In order to have the bottom wall 11 be incorporated with betterstiffness to withhold the warpage, preferably, there are more than tworeinforcing ribs 21. On the other hand, the arrangement of thereinforcing ribs 21 is not limited to longitudinal direction. Forexample, the pair of reinforcing ribs or more than two reinforcing ribscan be arranged in transversal across the bottom wall 11 or they can bearranged with a certain angle with respect to the longitudinaldirection, but still are in parallel to each other.

The manufacturing of the packaging device 1 can be implemented withdifferent ways; preferably, the reinforcing arrangement 20 and thesupporting base 10 can be integrally formed. For example, thereinforcing arrangement 20 is property disposed within a mold cavity ofthe supporting base 10, and then have the supporting base 10 formedwithin the mold cavity with the reinforcing arrangement embeddedtherein. Alternatively, the supporting base 10 can be molded firstly,and then attach to the supporting base 10 with any proper way currentlyavailable to the skill in the industry.

Regarding the relationship between the supporting base 10 and thereinforcing arrangement 20, the reinforcing arrangement 20 can becompletely embedded within the supporting base 10 or partially exposedout of the supporting base 10. With respect to the embodiments in whichthe reinforcing arrangement is disposed on the bottom wall 11, one ofthe feasible way to fulfill is to create a plurality of through hole,and then insert the reinforcing ribs 21 therein, or, having thesupporting base 10 and the reinforcing ribs 21 integrally formedtogether. With respect to the embodiments in which the reinforcingarrangement 20 is partially exposed out of the base wall 11, this can beimplemented by providing retaining portion over the inner surface orbottom surface of the bottom wall 11, and then insert the reinforcingribs 21 into those retaining portion.

Referring to FIG. 4, according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention, the reinforcing arrangement can be incorporated both thebottom wall 11 and the sidewall 12. Not only will this arrangementensure no warpage happen to the bottom wall 11, but will also increasethe overall rigidity or stiffness of the packaging device. According tothe embodiment, the reinforcing arrangement has a U-shaped configurationwith its forks incorporated within the sidewall, while the bottomincorporated with the bottom wall of the supporting base 10. The fulfillof this second embodiment as well as the relationship between thereinforcing arrangement and the supporting base can be the same as theway disclosed above for the first embodiment. Accordingly, no detaileddescription will be given herebelow.

Referring to FIG. 5, a third embodiment of the packaging device isshown, and in which the reinforcing arrangement includes a pair ofreinforcing ribs intersecting with each other. The intersectedreinforcing ribs are arranged on the bottom surface of the supportingbase. The intersected reinforcing ribs are arranged in a way that theforks extend to the sidewall of the supporting base so as to prevent thesidewall from warping. Furthermore, this can also increase the overallrigidity of the packaging device.

The present invention can be concluded with the following advantages. Ascompared to the prior art, by incorporating the reinforcing arrangement20 onto the bottom wall 11 of the packaging device 1, the bottom wall 11is given with superior cushioning capability and the reinforcingarrangement 20 can be used to prevent the warpage of the bottom wall 11.By the arrangement, since the bottom wall 11 is free from warpage, theliquid crystal glass carried thereon will also be prevented from beingbroken resulted from the warpage of the bottom wall. Furthermore, withthe inclusion of the reinforcing arrangement 20 into the bottom wall 11,the thickness of the bottom wall can be reduced and the overall volumeof the packaging of the produce and the cost associated thereof are alsolowered.

Embodiments of the present invention have been described, but notintending to impose any unduly constraint to the appended chums. Anymodification of equivalent structure or equivalent process madeaccording to the disclosure and drawings of the present invention, orany application thereof, directly or indirectly, to other related fieldsof technique, is considered encompassed in the scope of protectiondefined by the clams of the present invention.

1. A packaging device for liquid crystal glass, wherein the packagingdevices includes a bottom wall, a plurality of sidewalls, and areinforcing arrangement, the plurality of sidewalls being interconnectedwith one another and extending from peripheral edges of the bottom wallsso as to prevent any transversal movement of the liquid crystal glass;wherein the bottom wall is made from any one of the polyethylene foam,polypropylene foam, and high density polyethylene; wherein the bottomwall has a superior cushioning capability than the reinforcingarrangement; and wherein the bottom wall is used to support the liquidcrystal glass, and the reinforcing arrangement being disposed onto or inthe bottom wall so as to prevent warpage of the bottom wall.
 2. Thepackaging device as recited in claim 1, wherein the reinforcingarrangement is integrally formed with the bottom wall.
 3. The packagingdevice as recited in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing arrangement isattached to the bottom wall after the bottom wall is formed throughinjection molding.
 4. The packaging device as recited in claim 1,wherein the reinforcing arrangement includes at least a pair ofreinforcing ribs in parallel with each other.
 5. The packaging device asrecited in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing arrangement includes a pairof reinforcing ribs intersecting with each other.
 6. The packagingdevice as recited in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing arrangement iscompletely embedded within the bottom wall or partially exposed from thebottom wall.
 7. The packaging device as recited in claim 1, wherein thereinforcing arrangement is made from metallic material or ceramicmaterial.
 8. The packaging device as recited in claim 1, wherein thesidewalls and the bottom wall are made from same material integrallyformed together.
 9. A packaging device for liquid crystal glass, whereinthe packaging includes a bottom wall and a reinforcing arrangement;wherein the bottom wall has a superior cushioning capability than thereinforcing arrangement; and wherein the bottom wall is used to supportthe liquid crystal glass, and the reinforcing arrangement being disposedonto or in the bottom wall so as to prevent warpage of the bottom wall.10. The packaging device as recited in claim 9, wherein the reinforcingarrangement is integrally formed with the bottom wall.
 11. The packagingdevice as recited in claim 9, wherein the reinforcing arrangement hattached to the bottom wall alter the bottom wall is formed throughinjection molding.
 12. The packaging device as recited in claim 9,wherein the reinforcing arrangement includes at least a pair ofreinforcing ribs in parallel with each other.
 13. The packaging deviceas recited in claim 9, wherein the reinforcing arrangement includes apair of reinforcing ribs intersecting with each other.
 14. The packagingdevice as recited in claim 9, wherein the reinforcing arrangement iscompletely embedded within the bottom wall or partially exposed from thebottom wall.
 15. The packaging device as recited in claim 9, wherein thereinforcing arrangement is made from metallic material or ceramicmaterial.
 16. The packaging device as recited in claim 9, wherein thepackaging devices includes a plurality of sidewalls interconnected withone another and extending from peripheral edges of the bottom walls soas to prevent any transversal movement of the liquid crystal glass. 17.The packaging device as recited in claim 16, wherein the sidewalls andthe bottom wall are made from same material integrally formed together.18. The packaging device as recited in claim 17, wherein the bottom wallis made from any one of the polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, andhigh-density polyethylene.